Looking for Something Faster Than F2

[dryice66]

Just a quick question for RFF Contax G series users... I am looking for faster lens than the f2...
I understand that with a GA-1 adapter I can use other Contax SLR lens - does anyone have any experience with this - if you could describe your experience and post some examples - I would be grateful.

I am thinking the 50 /1.4 / 85/1.4 etc.

Thanks

 

[charlesfoto]

Others may respond with some success stories, but the obvious drawback would be losing the autofocus, and with the G not noted for its manual focus capabilities, having a non-G lens on the camera would be a hit or miss operation. Though you didn't state why you wanted something faster than the already fast f/2, the first thought that came to mind would to use a faster film.

 

[rich815]

Forget it for fast glass, you just cannot focus accurately enough wide open or close-up (less than 10'). I have one I got a few years ago but mostly as a novelty to use my 100-300 Vario-Sonnar at least once on my G2, and my other 3-4 Contax SLR lenses. It works, but it's sat in a drawer for years now.

For reasons you state, as much as I love my G2 and the 21/28/45/90 lenses, I also now have a Leica MP, 50/1.4 Summilux, 50/1.5 Summarit, and 35/2 Biogon (the latter because I just could never get satisfaction from the 35/2 Planar G lens....), and other more "classic" glass (the G lenses are wonderful but sometimes too sharp and contrasty!)

 

[keoj]

I don't use the GA-1 adapter very often but have been very pleasantly suprised the couple of times that I've used it with a 85. The way that I use it to take a readying with the G2, read the distance in the LCD on the top of the camera and then set the distance on the camera. Best if you are shooting a long ways away. The GA-1 is kind of an ingenious oddity.

keoj

BTW...the quality was outstanding. Just a notch below the G glass but very, very good.